According to two people with whom Hamas spoke, the group’s diplomats were informed on Monday that not all of the 33 victims who would be freed in the first stage of a possible cease-fire agreement with Israel would still be alive and that the remains of those who had already died would be included in the first releases.
The publication came as part of Hamas ‘ counteroffer to Israel’s latest plan, which envisions a primary- period, six- week stop- fire in exchange for the return of some of the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 criminal attacks. Hamas did not provide information on how many of the 33 people were still alive and also useless.
Ladies, older men, the tired and the wounded, among the more than 100 people who are also thought to be held captives, are expected to make up the second group of hostages to be freed in the preliminary phase of the proposed contract. In the beginning, the Israelis immediately wished for 40 to be free, but they soon realized how few people in Hamas satisfied the criteria. Some victims may have passed away, according to Israeli and US representatives for a long time.
People who have been pressing the Israeli government to release their loved ones will undoubtedly be upset by the information that the first hostage release class will include the remains of some who were taken seven months ago. As thousands of demonstrators demonstrate in the streets of Israel, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to reach a deal, the captives ‘ fate has become a major problem with the Israeli government. Late on Monday, activists in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv blocked main roads following Hamas ‘ counteroffer.
Israeli authorities said that the Hamas counteroffer was not satisfactory, but they have agreed to keep negotiating. This month, representatives from various nations acting as middlemen may meet in Cairo to review the counteroffer and check if any improvements can be made. Israel has consented to have a group visit the request and look at potential changes.
